Grid manufacturing apparatus



Jan. 19, 1965 .s. SAMUELS GRID MANUFACTURING APPARATUS Filed July 20,1961 9 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Gerard Samuel:

ZZMJW [liar/769 Jan. 19, 1965 e. SAMUELS 3,166,103

GRID MANUFACTURING APPARATUS Filed July 20. 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 NINVENTOR.

- 6erarafimue/s Jan. 19, 1965 G. SAMUELS 3,166,103

GRID MANUFACTURING APPARATUS Filed July 20. 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV ENTOR.

'erarddbmzleb Jan. 19, 1965 G. SAMUELS GRID MANUFACTURING APPARATUS 9Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 20. 1961 INVENTOR. G'e'ram Sandie/5' Jan. 19,1965 s. SAMUELS GRID MANUFACTURING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July20. 1961 B MWN A M N.

.\\\WW [IL L A A: Y QM INVEN. imqzgls Jan. 19, 1965 e. SAMUELS 3,166,103

GRID MANUFACTURING APPARATUS Filed July 20. 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet s INV ENTOR.

G. SAMUELS Jan. 19, 1965 GRID MANUFACTURING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 7Filed July 20. 1961 "\INVEN TOR. Gerard Samue/s life/wry Jan. 19, 1965G. SAMUELS 3,166,103

GRID MANUFACTURING APPARATUS Filed July 20. 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet s mmvrmGerard Jamae/s Jan. 19, 1965 cs. SAMUELS 3, 0

GRID MANUFACTURING APPARATUS Filed July 20, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 9INVENTOR. y GerardSamueAs .F. 01 a 9 W dflarneq United States Patent O3,166,163 GRID MANUFAiI'IURING APPARATUS Gerard arnuels, Teaneck, N..I.,assignor to Radio Qorporation of America, a corporation of EefiawareFiled .Iuiy 2t), 1961, SenNo. 125,567 21 (Jiairns. (til. 148- 715) Thisinvention relates to a new and advantageous apparatus for fabricatinggrid electrodes of the type known as frame grids.

In the manufacture of certain types of electron tubes, it is necessaryto provide therein grid electrodes having a large number of closely anduniformly spaced lateral Wires of very small diameter. Appropriate useof such grids results in electron tubes having such desiredcharacteristics as high transconductance and relatively dis tortionlesselectrical signal reproduction. In order to support the small diameterlateral wire turns, a self-sup practice has been to secure each lateralwire turn of the helix to the grid support frame. In many instances,however, where the lateral Wire is very small and fragile, only the endturns of a continuous helical winding wound about the frame are securedthereto.

As well known, each of these methods has at least one problem associatedwith it. Brazing, for example, causes distortion of the grid due to thehigh brazing tem eratures involved. Cementin re uires ex ensive maskingtechniques to insure that the cement is applied to only certain desiredportions of the grids so as not to interfere with the electricaloperation of the electron tube. Notching and swaging causes distortionof the grid frames due to the pressures of the notching and swagingtools.

In an attempt to avoid the problems incident to the aforementionedlateral wire securing methods, a new method for securing a lateral wireto the grid frame has been suggested. This method comprises positioninga portion of the lateral wire between an ear projecting from the gridframe and a body portion of the frame and crimping the ear against thebody portion for clamping and securing the lateral wire therebetween.Advantages of this method are that no heat or notching need be employed,thereby avoiding distortion of the grid. In addition, the cost of thegrid is reduced due to the simplicity and small number of gridfabricating operations that need be performed.

It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for fabricatingframe grid electrodes.

Particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide apparatus forwinding a lateral wire on a grid frame and for securing the lateral wireto the grid frame by the crimping method described.

For achieving these objects in accordance with this invention, anapparatus is provided which includes a mandrel adapted to receivethereon a grid frame to be wound. A lateral Wire grasping means isprovided for grasping a'lateral wire extending from a supply spool andfor pulling it across and against the grid frame. A threading device isprovided for threading the lateral wire between an extending ear and abody portion of the cured'to' the grid frame, means are provided forrotating the mandrel towind the lateral wire on the frame in a pluralityof spaced apart turns. a FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a grid frameof the 1 type used for making a grid electrode'by apparatus madeaccording to this invention; FIG. '2 is a plan view of apparatus usingthis invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 but at alater step in the grid fabricating cycle,

with parts removed to s'howdetails of construction;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-94 of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3; I a

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3 but at a laterstep in the grid fabricating cycle and showing the grid framepositioning and mandrel loading mechanisms;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view at an enlarged scale of& detail of the structureshown in FIG. 6;

FIG.9 is a section taken along line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing a later step in the gridfabricating cycle;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of a detail of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2but at a later step and showing the mandrel carriage;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of details ofthe apparatus shown in FIG. 3 'including details of the wire feedmechanisms;

FIG. 13 is a partial elevation on an enlarged scale of details of themechanism of FIG. 4 including the mechanism for grasping the lateralwire;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view showing details of the structureshown in FIG. 4 and particularly the grid frame ear crimping mechanism;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view along line 1515 of FIG. 12 but ata later step in the fabrication FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 butshowing the lateral wire clamped to the grid frame; and

FIG. 20 is a view in perspective of -a frame grid assembly made by theapparatus of this invention. FIG. 1 shows a grid frame 20. of the typewhich may be fabricated into a grid electrode by the apparatus of thisinvention. The frame 20 comprises a pair of paral:

lel cylindrical side rods or supports 21 having end lengths or legs 22and 23. Two pairs of parallel cross straps 24 and 25 extend between theside rods 21 adjacent each end thereof and are joined to the side rodsas by welding. The cross straps 24 and 25 have ends or ears 26 and 27,respectively, which extend beyond one of the side rods 21. Since ears 26and 27 are crimped against the side rod 21 for clamping the lateral wiretherebetween as will be described, the cross straps are made of arelatively non-resilient, soft material, such as annealed molybdenum.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus of this invention includes,generally, a mandrel 36 for engaging A mechanism for feeding the framegrids to the mandrel 36 includes a grid frame receiving magazine 39 forstoring a number of grid frames 26 and a slide 32 having a tray 34(shown in phantom in FIG. 3) mounted on one end thereof for receivingthe grid frames one :by one from the magazine 30. Also provided is awire guide 40 for guiding a lateral wire 42 from a supply spool '43,,onto a grid frame 20 mounted on mandrel'36. A lateral Wire graspingmechanism 46 (shown partially covered in FIG.

2;and fully visible in FIG. 3) is provided for grasping .the lateralwire 42 at the wire guide 49 and for pulling it transversely across themandrel 36-and against the grid frame 20. -An anvil mechanism 48 is alsoprovided,

which, however, isnot visible in FIGS. 2 and 3, the location of'theanvil mechanism being indicated in FIG.2 by the letter A. The anvilmechanism 48 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The anvil mechanism 48 performsthe -dual functions of positioning a grid frame 20 along the isperformed'by a tool 49 of an ear crimping mechanism 58. The crimpingmechanism 59 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is mounted for movement for positioningtool-49 first over can 26 for crimping these ears prior to winding ofthe "lateral wire, and then over ears 27 for crimping after winding.

For threading the lateral wire 42 between theears. 26 and between ears 27, and for-winding the lateral wire about the grid frame 20, as will bedescribed, mandrel 36 is rotatable either intermittently through smallangular increments or continuously, and wire guide 40 is movablelaterally with respect to mandrel '36 in a continuous motion or in astep-like indexing motion. For providing the angular incremental'motionto mandrel 36, a stepmotor 52 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is provided which iscoupled to mandrel'36 through a gear box 54. For providing the step-likemovementto wire guide 40, the wire. guide is mounted on a slide 132which is indexable to the and supportingthereon a grid frame 26 to bewoundQ right or left as viewed in FIGS. 2 and ,3 by means of a' cam 58(FIG. 3) driven by a step motor 53 (FIG. 2). Meansare also providedfor'rotating mandrel 36 continuously and for feeding wire guide 40continuously, but these means are neither shown nor described since avariety of suitable means for these purposesmay be pro-. vided fromknown mechanisms.

Slide32 and tray 34,wire guide 40, supply spool 43,

framework.

'Mandr el loadr'ng means For storing a number of grid frames 20 andfeeding them to mandrel 36 in preparation forgrid fabrication, a framemagazine 39 (FIGS. 3 and 6) and slide 32 are provided. Magazine 30 isopen ended and is mounted on a plate 61 secured toa support block 62 bymeans of bracket 63. Support block 62 is secured to table 45,

table 45, in turn, being slidably mounted on the, machine framework formovement parallel to the mandrel 36. Within magazine 30, the grid frames20 are stacked one on top of the other, the side rods 21 of the gridframes lying in horizontal planes and theears 26 and 27' extending inthe direction of the supply spool 43 (FIG. 3).

Closing the lower open end of magazine 30 and slidably mountedthereunder is the slide 32, the slide being provided with a tray 34 atone end thereof. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, slide 32 is slidably mountedwithin a nous 7 ing formed by slide gibs'S and top plate 66. Means for.

moving slide 32 within its housing comprise a rack 68 fastened to theunderside of slide 32, a gear 69 meshed with rack 68 and secured to oneend of shaft 70, a gear 71 secured to the other end of shaftm and meshedwith a rack 72, and an air cylinder 73, the plunger 74 thereof beingsecured to rack 72 by means of clamp 75. Upon.

actuation of air cylinder '73, slide 32 may be moved within its housingfor first positioning tray 34 under the open bottom end of the magazine30 for receipt of a grid frame 23, and then positioning the loaded tray34 in the path of mandrel 36, as indicated in phantom in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, tray 34 is substantially open ended andcomprises two side walls and 81 for receiving and positioning the siderods 21 of the grid frame 20, and a bottom su ort 82. Side walls so a d31 each have end stops 83 for preventing axial movement of the gridframe within the tray, and side Wall 81 has an inner surface 85 whichtapers downwardly towards side wall 80. Innersurface 85 is alsoprovidedwith a shoulder 85 having a heightslightlyless than one-half thediameter of a grid frame side rod 21. e

5 a The end of slide 3-2 serves as side wall 86, sidewall 81 is securedto the end 88 of bottom support 82, and bottom,

support'32 is secured to the underside of slide 32 at some distanceinwardly of the end thereof. 82 is made of a resilient material,- suchas steel, and is not secured to side wall 89. By means of thisarrangement, it is' possible to flex bottom support 82 downwardly asshown in FIG. 10. The purpose of the tray 34 and the reasons for itsnovel construction in accordance with one feature of this invention willbe described hereinafter.

Mandrel carriage being slidably mounted on guide rods 96 secured byblocks 97 fastened in turn to plate 98. Plate 98 is secured to baseplate 69. Movement of carriage and hence movement of mandrel 36 tothe'right or left in these Figs. is pro-vided by means of an'ai-rcylinder 99 mounted on plate 98, the plunger 99' of air cylinder 99being coupled to carriage 95 by clamp 181. Although mandrel 36is'mounted for rotation within carriage 95, forreasons to be described,it is possible to lock mandrel 36 in fixed angular orientation. Toaccomplish this, a magnetic brake 102 of any suitable type known in theart is provided. Upon receipt of a first electricalsignal, the magneticbrake 102 locks mandrel 36 in any angular orientation the mandrelhappens to be in, and upon receipt of a secondelect'rical signal, thebrake release mandrel 36for rotation. Further signals repeat the cycle.As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, mandrel 36 is generally rectangular incross-section, and has a thicknesswhich is slightly less than thediameter of the side rods 21 of the grid frame. Because of this, thedistance between the planes formed by the lateral Wire turns on eachside of the wound grid electrode is determined entirely by the diameterof the side rods. Thus, since the lateral wires do not contact themandrel, the lateral wires are not dragged or distorted upon removal ofthe wound grid from the mandrel. The width of the mandrelis such thatthe grid frames are supported on the mandrel in-snug, slidable fit.

As mentioned, a grid frame 20 is loaded from maga zlne 30 into tray 34,and slide 32 then moved to position the tray 34 into the path of mandrel36. Upon forward movement ofmandrel 36, the leading end 1G4fof themandrel passes through the open ends of tray 34 and Bottom supportstrappairs 2% and 25 and side rods 21 (FIGS. 8-10). End stops 83 of tray 34prevent forward movement of the grid frame 2%, however, and in orderthat mandrel 36 may convey the of the frame. w V

To accomplish this, air cylinder '73 (FIG. 3) is actuated to retractslide 32 and tray 34 back under magazine 39.

Since the grid frame is firmly mounted on the mandrel,

, tion of slide 32.

After removal of tray 34, the grid frame 213 is free to advance withmandrel 36, the mandrel continuing its advance until the leading end 164thereof enters a rectangular aperture 1&6 in the mandrel rotating lathehead 1437 (FIG. 3).

Wire f eed mechanisms 7 The purposes of the wire feed mechanisms (seeFIGS. 2, 3 and 12) are to guide a lateral Wire 42 onto a grid frame 29mounted on mandrel 36 for winding a plurality of lateral wire turnsabout the frame, and to cooperate with the mandrel rotating step motor52 for threading the lateral wire between the pairs of frame cars 26 and27. All the wire feed mechanisms are mounted on table 45 for movementtherewith. 7

Table 45 is slidably mounted on the machine'framework and is coupled toa driving system (not shown) for providing movement of table 45laterally with respect to mandrel 36. The driving system moves table 45.to the right as shown in FIG. 3, whereby upon rotation of mandrel 36, anumber of spaced lateral wire turns may be wound about a grid frame 29mounted on the mandrel. Although not shown, an automatically operatedlatch and spring arrangement is provided for coupling table 45 to a feedscrew driven by the driving system to cause the feeding mechanism tomove at a rate to provide a desired frame forward towards the wire guide49, it is first necessary to move the tray out of the .path

height of the shoulder and engages a cam follower roller 149 mounted atthe end of slide 132, the mounting slide 132 extending through anopening in block 62.

. Cam 58 has a development designed to provide the preroller 1 incontact with cam indexable either to the left or to the right.

pitch between the lateral wire turns. At the conclusion of the gridframe winding and wire securing operations, as will be described, thelatch is released and table is rapidly and abruptly indexed back to itsoriginal position. As shown in FIG. 12, arms 13d and 131 of wire guide40 each have a vertical rod 136 mounted at an end thereof, the rodscooperating to serve as a pair of jaws through which the lateral wire 42is guided. Army 1311 is rigidly fastened to slide 132, but arm 131 isrotatably mounted on pin 1133 fixed to slide 132. The plunger 139 of asolenoid 14% mounted on slide 132 engages arm 131 and movement ofplunger 139 outwardly of solenoid 14-9 results in a closing of the jaws136. Compression spring 141 is provided between arms 13%) and 131 whichopcrates to open the jaws 1356 upon retraction of plunger 139. Thelateral wire 42 passes directly from pool 43 through the jaws 136 andthence to a grid frame 249 on mandrel 36 during the grid windingoperations. The purpose of tension motor (FIG. 3) is to provide apredetermined amount of tension to the lateral wire as it is being woundabout the grid frame.

As mentioned, the wire guide 56 is movable laterally with respect tomandrel 36 in a series of discrete steps for threading the lateral wire42 between the grid frame ears 26 and 27. For acomplishing this steppingmotion, slide 132 (FIG. 12) is slidably mounted on a pair of guides 143which are parallel to mandrel 2-6 and which are supported on blocks 62and 14.5 mounted on table 45. A cam 58 mounted on shaft 148 is providedwhich sons to be described.

.scribed step-like motion of slide 132 and hence wire guide 49.Compression springs 152 are provided on guides 143 between slide 132 andblock for maintaining 53. whereby slide 132 is Rotation of cam 58 isprovided by means of the step motor 53 (FIG. 2) which is also mounted ontable 45. This step motor is coupled to cam 53 by means of a timing belt57 and a pulley 154 mounted on shaft 148. Upon receipt of a series ofelectrical signals, step motor 53 rotates cam 58 hrough predeterminedangular increments thereby causingthe desired indexing of slide 132.

Wire gripper mechanism The wire gripper mechanism 46is providedfor'graspr" 4-2 extending between f spool 43 and the jaws 136 of wireguide 40 and for pulling the Wire across and against the ing a portionof the lateral Wire grid frame 20 mounted on mandrel 36. A'furtherpurpose of this mechanism is to break the length of lateral wire whichextends from ears 26 to the gripper mechanism after these ears arecrimped over against the frame side rod 21.

. As shown in FIGS. mechanism 46 comprises a frame mounted on base plate6%, a platform 161 (FIGS. 5 and 13) mounted on four pivoted arms 162,and a slide 165 clove-tailed to slide within platform lfil, Mounted onslide 165 are a pair of arms 166, each arm having a cylindrical rod 167at the end thereof which cooperate to serve as a pair of lateral wiregrasping jaws. Arms 166 are pivotally mounted-on pins 163? secured toslide 165and are acturneahs of a spring 171" extending arms 166, butmovement of plunger 174 (FIG..3) outwardly of solenoid forces the ends172 of arms 166 apart thereby closing the jaws 168.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rotary solenoid 177 is rigidly secured to abracket 1'73 extending from frame 166, the solenoid including tworotatable arms 179 secured to the armature 180 thereof. A shaft 181 ismounted between the ends 182 of arms 17d and has Platform 161 (FEGS. 3,5 and 13) is supported on the ends of the four rotatable arms 162 bymeans of pins 187, the opposite endsv of the arms being secured toshafts 1% rotatably mounted within frame 160. Each shaft has a gear 193mounted thereon, the gears 193 being meshed with a central gear'194coupled to the armature shaft 195 of a rotary solenoid 196 secured toframe 1611. Upon actuation of solenoid 196, the armature shaft 195 isrotated wise (as of FIG. 5) and then counterclockwise through apredetermined angular increment. Rotation of arma ture 195 results in arotation'of central gear 194, gears 193, shafts 1% and arms 162.Rotation'of arms 162, in turn, results in a movement of platform 161 andslide 165 thereon through. an arcuate path, first counterclockwise andthen clockwise.

As shown in phantom in FIGS. 3 and 5, the path of link connecting theroller 143 to between the ends 172 of relatively slowly first cloclomechanisms.

1 V fdrel during ear crimping.

" 123 ofianvil 110 are provided which are adapted to en- 161 isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of mandrel 3,6 and is co-linearwith the tensioned lateral wire 42 extending between the supply spool 43and the jaws 136 of the wire guide 40. mandrelto a position between jaws136 andspool 43. Jaws 167 are open at this time and are thus positionedastridethe extended lateral wire for grasping the lateral wire and forpulling it across mandrel 36 and against frame 20. Jaws 167 are closedabout the lateral wire 42, jaws 136 are opened, and platform 161 isreturned to its rest position (FIGS. 3, 5 and 12). As shown in FIG. 5,platform 161 is arranged so that in its'rest position, rods 167 extendsomewhat below both mandrel 36 and wire guide 40. 42 is held by jaws 167firm contact with the grid frame 20 to permit threading of the wirebetween ears 26, as .will be described hereinafter. Although the lateralwire 42 is removed from the wire guide 40 jaws 136 by jaws 167 as thelatter starts -on its return path,

the lateral wire is rethreaded. through jaws 136 as jaws 16 7 approachtheir rest'position.

Anvil mechanism As mentioned, one purpose of mandrel 36 is to convey agrid frame 20 mounted on the mandrel to a position adjacent the lateralwire guide 40 of the wire feed The frame is slidably mounted on themandrel, and to insure exact positioning of the grid frame with respectto the wire guide, a frame positioning anvil mechanism48 is provided. 7

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 anvil mechanism 48 includes a mandrelsupporting anvil 110 slidably mounted within a housing 112 secured tobase plate 60. Housing 112 is. located so as to position'anvil110directly beneath the path of mandrel 36, and a earn 113 is provided forraising and lowering anvil 110 within housing 112. Cam 113 is followedby a roller' 114 secured to anvil 110, a spring 115 being' providedtomaintain the roller in contact with the cam, and, a step motor 116(FIG. 3) being provided to drive cam 113 through shaft 117. i

Jaws 167 are conveyed over the Because of this, the lateral wire gagethe mandrel adjacent opposite frame thereon. Prior to ear crimping,anvil 110 is raised by cam 113 so that stop 120 engages the underside ofthemandrel and is forced downwardly of the anvil por-v tion119 in orderto permit engagement of shoulders 123 with the mandrel.

It is noted that shoulders 123 do not engage the frame 7 20 during earcrimping, but rather engagemandrel36,

that if the shoulders 7 drel would be, raised therefrom; The support tothe upper side rod would then be only that provided by the cross strappairs 24 and 25. During ear crimping, the

' force exerted by tool 49 would thus tend to distort and buckle thefragile grid frame. By providing support solely to the mandrel 36, theupper side rod is pressed against and hence supported by the mandrelduring ear crimping while the cross strap pairs are subjected to nodistorting forces.

' Ear crimping mechanism housing 210 having a crimping tool 49 slidablymounted Anvil 110 is provided with a pair of shoulders 123 V whichextend upwardly therefrom a predetermined distance, the height of theshoulders being thesame. Posi tioned between the shoulders 123 andmounted astride portion 119 of anvil 110 is a stop 120. Stop 120 isslidablymounted on. the :anvil, and a spring 121 is provided whichbiases a lip 122. of the stop to extend above the anvil a distancegreater than that of'shoulders 123. Because of the spring loading ofstop 120 on anvil 110, it is possible to reduce the extending height ofthe stop for reasons to be described.

The manner in which anvil 110 positions frame with respect to the wiregrid is as follows: after mandrel 36 removes a frame 20 from' tray 34and conveys it forward, as described, the leadingend 104 of the mandrelpasses directly over anvil 110. At this time, the height of anvil 110withinhousing 112 as determined by cam 113 is such that the top end oflip 122 just barely grazes the underside of the mandrel. The leading.end 104 of the mandrel passes unimpeded over lip 122, but when the gridframe 20 reaches the stop, one of the cross straps 25 abuts against lip122 thereby preventing further advance of the frame. Since the anvil andstop thereon are located in predetermined position with respect to wireguide 40, the frame 20 is thus also prop erly positioned with respectthereto. Although the frame 20 is prevented from further advance by stop120, the mandrel 36 continues its advance by sliding through the fixedframe, the leading end 104 then entering the lathe head 107. V

A further purpose of anvil 110 is to provide support to mandrel 36 forpreventing deformation of the man- To this end, the shoulders therein,and a crimping tool actuating air cylinder 211 secured to housing 210. Abracket 212 is provided connecting housing 210 to table (FIG. 2) wherebythe crimping mechanism is movable with table 45 for positioninglthecrimping tool first over cars 26 of a grid frame mounted on mandrel 36and then over ears 27.

Vertical movement of crimping tool 49 outwardly of housing 210 isprovided by air. cylinder 211. Plunger 214 of air cylinder 211 issecured to a block 215 (FIG. 14) slidably mounted within hollow cylinder216 having a spring 217 therein. The outer wall of cylinder 216 isconnected by means of a bracket 218 (FIG. 4) to a plate 1 219 having arack 220 suspended therefrom. 'Plate 219 is slidably mounted Within aslide gib 221 and rack 220 is meshed with a gear 222 mounted on one endof a shaft 223. Shaft 223 is rotatably mounted within housing 210,

and has mounted on its other end a gear 224, gear 224, in turn, beingmeshed witha vertical raclc 225 secured'to crimping tool 49. Movement ofplunger 214 outwardly of air cylinder 211 thus operates to move crimpingtool 49 downwardly through the impositive coupling provided by spring217.

Upon downward movement of crimping tool 49, the lower end 226 thereofengages a pair of ears 26 or 27 of the grid frame. The end 226 of thecrimping tool is of generally U-shape (FIG. 5) and upon engagement ofthe 7 tool end 226 with the ears, the ears are crimped inwardly towardone another and against the side rod 21. Prior to crimping, the lateralwire 42 is threaded between the ears and along the side rod, as will bedescribed. Upon crimping of the ears, the lateral wire is firmly clampedand secured between the ears and the side rod. Spring 217 provides meansfor cushioning the impact of crimping tool 49 against the grid frame 20.

Mandrel driving means Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the leading end 104 ofthe mandrel is inserted into a rectangular aperture 106 within lathehead 107 (FIG. 3) for providing rotation of mandrel 36. Lathe head 107is mounted on and driven by a shaft 230, shaft 230 being coupled withina gear box 54 to two driving shafts 231 and 232. Rotation of eithershaft 231 or 232 results in rotation of shaft 230 and hence rotation oflathe head 107 and mandrel 36.

Shaft 231 is coupled ot the armature of an indexing 9 motor52 mounted onbase plate 60, and shaft 232 is coupled to a driving system (not shown).As mentioned hereinbefore, the driving system is also coupled to table45 of the wire feed mechanisms for providing the necesto,synchronization between the rotation of the mandrel,

and the feed of the Wire guide 40 is provided whereby the desired pitchof the lateral wire turns about the grid frame 20 may be obtained.Rotation of mandrel 36 by step motor 52, conversely, is independent ofthe feed of table 45 thereby permitting threading of the lateral wire 42between ears 26 and 27, as will be described.

The clutch mechanisms as well as the driving system, as mentioned, areknown in the art, and for the sake of brevity and clarity, furtherdescription thereof will be omitted. V

Indexing motor 52 may comprise a commercially available motor of thetype which has the feature that upon receipt of a first electricalsignal, the motor armature will index from any angular setting ithappens to be in to a firstpredetermined orientation. Upon receipt offurther signals, the armature will rotate from the first predeterminedorientation through discrete angular increments, In the apparatus shown,the indexing motor 52 is adjusted to rotate mandrel 36 to an angle 45degrees from the horizontal upon receipt of a first electrical signal,to a vertical position upon receipt of a second signal, and to ahorizontal position upon receipt of a third signal as shown in FIGS. 15,18 and 16, respectively. Further signals repeat the cycle.

Timing Operation The operation of this apparatus in performing thesequence of operations for the fabrication of a grid electrode will nowbe described.

At the start of the sequence of operations, mandrel carriage 95 is inretracted position to the left as in FIG. 2, and slide 32 is located toposition tray 34 directly beneath the open end of magazine 30. A gridframe- 20 drops into tray 34 and air cylinder 73 is actuated to moveslide 32 forward to position tray 34 in the path of mandrel 36.

Mandrel 36 is in locked horizontal orientation by brake 192 at thistime, and upon forward movement of carriage 95, the leading end 194 ofmandrel 36 passes through the open ends of tray 3-4 and through the gridframe 2t) therein. Slide 32 is retracted, leaving the grid frame 19 inFIG. 12, the legs 22 of the frame extending to the left of the jaws.

Prior to this, the solenoid 14d of the wire guide 40 has been energizedthereby closing jaws 136 about the end of the lateral wire 42 extendingbetween the spool 43 and the wire guide 4%). Solenoid 1% of the wiregripper mechanism 46 is then actuated, and arms 166 are conveyed throughthe arcuate path shown. in FIG. 5 to'a position such that jaws 167 arepositioned astride the lateral wire 42 as shown in phantom in FIG. 3.Solenoid 179 is energized to cause jaws 167 to grasp the lateral wire,solenoid 14%} is de-energized to open jaws 136, and upon return ofplatform 161 to its restposition shown in FIG. 5, lateral wire 42 ispulled across'the mandrel -36. Mandrel 36 is still in horizontalorientation, and the lateral wire 42 is placed in contact with the frameit) thereon so that the wire extends parallelto and by step motor 116mlower the anvil 110 and stop 120 thereon, brake 1522 on carriage isreleased, and a first electrical signal is applied to step motor 52 torotate mandrel 36 to a position 45 degrees with respect to thehorizontal (FIG' 15). Step motor 53 on table 45 is then energized androtation of cam 58 causes slide 132 to index. to the right as viewed inFIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 17, the motion 'of wire guide 49 thereonthreads the lateral wire 42 between ears 26 and along the side rod 21. Asecond electricalsignal is applied to step motor 52 and the mandrel isrotated to a vertical position as in FIG. 18.

The movement of slide 132 as caused by rotation of cam 58 conveys wireguide 49 and jaws 136 well beyond ears 26 as shown in FIG. 17 to insurecomplete threading of the lateral wire 42 therebetween. After threading,however, step motor 53 is further rotated to return slide 132 and wireguide 4t) along a portion of their advance to position wire guide 49 andjaws 136 thereon just slightly to the right of cross strap pair 24. Inthis manner, the first lateral wire turns can be Wound closely to thegrid frame cross straps 24 for providing the maximum possible woundlength of the grid. This is desirable for providing maximum controlofthe electron current within'the electron tube.

Anvil is then raised by cam 113 within housing 112 so as to engageshoulders 123 with the lower side of mandrel 36 (FIG. 4), stop engagingthe mandrel and being forced downwardly of anvil portion 119, asdescribed. Crimping tool 49 is then actuated downwardly to crimp ears 26against the side rod 21 with the lateral wire 42 sandwiched.therebetweeno Shoulders 123 provide support to the mandrel to preventdeformation'thereof. The ears 25 are bent and stretched beyond theirelastic limit, thus securely andpermanently clamping the end of lateralwire 42 between the ears and the side rod 21 of the grid frame as shownin FIG. 19. Solenoid 177 of the wire gripper mechanism 46 is energizedand the sudden movement of slide and arms 166 (FIG. 3)

to the right breaks off the extending length of lateral wire 42 againstthe edge of ears 26.

Having thus affixed the end of the lateral wire 42 to the grid frame 29,the :step motor 52 is decoupled from shaft 231, and the driving systemis coupled through the clutch means mentioned for rotating mandrel 36and for I advancing the wire feed mechanisms (and the crimping toolmechanism 5% coupled thereto) along the length of the grid frame.Mandrel 36 is rotated through a number of turns suflicient to wind thelateral wire 42 about the side rods 21 over the expanse of the frame 20between the cross strap pairs 24 and 25.

At the end of the winding operation, the driving system is disengagedand mandrel 36comes quickly to a halt due to the friction of the partsof the gear box 54. A first l 3 electrical signal-is applied to the stepmotor 52, mandrel 36 is rotated to a position 45 degrees to thehorizontal, wired-2 is threaded between ears 27, mandrel 36 'is rotatedto a vertical position, and the ears 27 are subsequently wrapped aroundthe side member 21 by the crimping tool 49 to secure the end of thelateralwire to the grid frame. Anvil 110 is lowered (the anvil havingbeen in its raised position for supporting mandrel 36 during crimping ofears 27) and mandrel 36 is then rotated to ahorizontal position by stepmotor 52. Thetable 45 automatic latch mechanism is released, and thetable 45 is indexed back toiitsoriginal position as at the start of thegrid fabrication sequence. Just priorto this, jaws 136 of the wire guide40 have been closed by solenoid 140 -to clamp the lateral wire therein,and the sudden move ment of table and wire guide 40 thereon breaks the'lateral wire off against the edges of ears 27.

Brake 102 of the mandrel carriage 95 is then energized to lock. mandrel36 in horizontal orientation, and the mandrel is withdrawn from thelathe head 107 and retracted to the'left as viewed in FIG. 2. Thewoundgrid frame is stripped off the mandrel, the slide actuating step motor53 is rotated to re-position slide 132 to its original position, and theapparatus is ready to fabricate a new grid.

No further grid electrode fabricating steps are required since thetension with which the lateral wire turns are wound serve to maintainthe grid turns in place along the grid frame, while the locking of thelateral wire ends to the frame, as described, is a positive and perma-'in many prior art grid fabricating methods is also avoided.-

Such tails often cause electrical short circuiting between tubeelectrodes and destruction of the electron tube, as known. However, thisextra operation is not required with this apparatus, the extending tailsbeing broken off very closely to the grid frame ears, as described. Astill further feature of the apparatus of this invention is the easewith which it may bemodified .to adapt it for fabricating a plurality ofgrid electrodes simultaneously. For accomplishing this, an extra longwinding mandrel is employed and also a number of operating stationsspaced along the mandrel path. Each station comprises the wire feedmechanisms, the anvil mechanism 48, the wire gripper mechanism 46, andthe crimping mechanism 50, and each station operates on one frame 20.The reason such an arrangement is possible is due to the supportprovided to the mandrel by the anvil mechanism at each station. Priorart notching and peening apparatus, for example, does not include suchmandrel xsupport and only one grid may be fabricated at a time .with theprior art apparatus.

' What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateral wire about a grid frame,said frame being provided with an extendingear adapted for clamping saidlateral wire between said ear and a portion of said frame, saidapparatus comprising a frame supporting member, means for-mount-' forfeeding a lateral wire towards a frame mounted on said frame supportingmember, means for grasping said lateral wire adjacent said wire feedingmeans and for moving said wire for positioning it between said ear .andsaid portion of said frame, and means for crimping said ear against saidportion for clamping wire therebetween.

2. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateral wire about a grid frame,said frame being provided with an extending ear adapted for clampingsaid lateral wire between said ear and aportion'of said frame, saidapparatus comprising a rotatable frame supporting member, means formounting a frame on said frame supporting member, means for feeding alateral wire towards a frame mounted said lateral on said framesupporting member, means for grasping said lateral Wire adjacent saidwire feeding means for pulling said Wire across said mounted frame andpositioning said lateral Wire between said ear and said portion of saidframe, means for crimping said ear against said portion for clampingsaid lateral wire, therebetween, and means for rotating said framesupporting member and frame for winding a plurality of lateral wireturns about said frame. v V v 3. Apparatus for securing and winding alateral wire about a grid frame, said frame being provided with anextending ear adapted for clamping said lateral wire between said earand a portion of said frame, said appartus comprising a rotatable framesupporting member, means lateral wire between said ear. and said portionof said frame, means for crimping said ear against said portion forclamping said lateral wire therebetween, means for rotating said framesupporting member, and means for feeding said lateral wire to said framefor winding a plurality of lateral wire turns about said frame when saidframe and supporting member are rotated.

4. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateral wire about a grid frame,said frame being provided with an extending ear adapted for clampingsaidlateral wire between said ear and a portion of said frame, saidapparatus comprising means for mounting said frame on a frame supportingmember, means for grasping said lateral wire and pulling it in onedirection for'placing it into contact with said frame, means for pullingsaid wire in a second direction for positioning said lateral wirebetween said ear and said portion of said frame, and means for crimpingsaid ear against said portion for clamping said lateral Wiretherebetween. I

5. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateral wire abouta grid frame,said frame being provided with an extending ear adapted for clampingsaid lateral wire between said ear and a portion'of said frame, saidapparatus comprising a rotatable frame supporting member, means formounting a frame on said frame supporting member, means for graspingsaid lateral wire and pulling it in one direction for placing it intocontact with. said frame, means pulling said wire in a second directionfor positioning said lateral wire between said ear and said portion ofsaid frame, means for crimping said ear against said portion forclamping said lateral wire therebetween, means for rotating said framesupporting member and said frame thereon for winding ,a plurality oflateral 'wire turns about said frame.

6. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateral wire about a grid frame,said frame being provided with an extending ear. adapted for clampingsaid lateral wirebetween said ear'and a portion of said frame, saidapparatus comprising a grid winding mandrel, means for mounting saidframe on said mandrel, wire feeding means, means for grasping a lateralwire fed from said feeding means andfor pulling said lateral wire acrosssaid frame and for positioning said lateral wire between said ear andsaid portion of said frame, means for crimping said ear against saidportion for clamping said lateral wire to said frame,

means for moving said grasping means with respect to said frame forbreaking the lateral wire portion extending between said frame and saidgrasping means, and means for rotating said mandrel and said framethereon for winding a plurality of lateral wire turns about said frame.

7. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateral wire about a grid frame,said frame being provided with an extending ear adapted for clampingsaid lateral wire between said ear and a portionof said frame, saidapparatus l3 Comprising a grid winding mandrel, means for mounting saidframe on said mandrel, a wire guide, a lateral wire supply spool, meansfor grasping a lateral wire extending between said supply spool and saidwire guide and for pulling said lateral wire in a first direction acrosssaid id 7 for rotating said mandrel through discrete angular increments,and means for rotating said mandrel continuously.

frame, means for positioning said lateral wire between said ear and saidportion of said frame, means for crimping said ear 'against said portionfor clamping said lateral wire to said frame, means for moving saidgrasping means in a second direction with respect to said frame forbreaking the lateral wire portion extending between said frame and saidgrasping means, means for rotating said mandrel and said frame thereon,and means for moving said wire guide laterally of said mandrel forwinding a plurality of lateral wire turns about said frame.

8. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateral wire about a grid frame,said frame including a pair of opposing ears adapted for clamping saidlateral wire, between said ears and a portion of said frame, saidapparatus comprising meansfor positioning said frame in the pat of agrid winding mandrel, meansrfor moving said mandrel through a portion ofsaid positioning means for engaging said frame with said mandrel, a wireguide, a lateral wire supply spool, means for positioning said framealong said mandrel in a predetermined position along said mandrel withrespect to said wire guide, meansfor grasping a lateral wire extendingbetween said supply spool and said wire guide and for pulling saidlateral wire in a first direction across said frame, means forpositioning said lateral wire between said ears and said grid frameportion, means for supporting said mandrel for preventing deformationthereof, means for crimping said opposing ears towards one another andagainst said portion for clamping said lateral wire to said frame, meansfor moving said grasping means in a second direction with respect tosaid frame for breaking the length of lateral wire extending betweensaid frame and said grasping means, means for rotating said mandrel andsaid frame thereon, and means for moving said wire guide laterally ofsaid mandrel for winding a plurality of lateral wire turns about saidframe.

9. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateral wire about a grid framehaving an ear adapted for clamping said lateral wire between said earand a portion of said frame, said apparatus comprising a grid windingmandrel movable along a first path, and an anvil positioned along saidfirst path, said anvil being movable in a direction intersecting saidfirst path, a wire guide mounted in predetermined position with respectto said anvil, means for indexing said wire guide in discrete stepsparallel to said first path, and means for moving said wire guide in acontinuous motion parallel to said first path, a lateral wire grippermounted on a slide movable through an arcuate path, the plane of saidarcuate path being per- 10. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateralwire about a grid frame having an ear adapted for clamping said lateralwire between said ear and a portion of said frame, said apparatuscomprising a grid winding mandrel movable along a first path, a gridframe receiving and positioning slide movable in a directionintersecting said first path, an anvil positioned along said first path,said anvil being reciprocatingly movable in a direction intersectingsaid first path, a wire guide mounted in predetermined position withrespect to said anvil, means for indexing said wire guide in discretesteps parallel to said first path, and means for moving said wire guidein a continuous motion parallel to said first path, a lateral Wiregripper mounted on a slide movable through an arcuate path, the plane ofsaid arcuate path being perpendicular to said first path, an earcrimping member movable in a direction intersecting said first path,means ingly movable in a direction intersecting said first path,-'

awire guide mounted in predetermined position with respect to said stop,means for indexing said wire guide in discrete steps parallel to saidfirst path, and means for moving said wire guide in a continuous motionparallel to said first path, a lateral wire gripper mountedon a slidemovable in a direction parallel to said first path,

said gripper slide being supported on a platform movable throughanarcuate path, the plane of'said arcuate'path being perpendicular to saidfirst path,- an ear crimping member mounted for movement with said whoguide,

- said crimping member also being movable in a direction intersectingsaid first path, means for rotating said man drel throughdiscrete'angular increments, and means for rotating said mandrelcontinuously.

, 12. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateral wire about a gridframe having a pair of extending ears, said ears being adapted forclamping said lateral wire between said earsand a portion of said frame,said apparatus comprising a grid winding mandrel movable along a firstpath, a grid frame receiving tray movable along a path intersecting saidfirst path, said tray being adapted for positioning said grid frame inthe path of said mandrel,

and said mandrel being adapted for supportingly engaging and removingsaid grid frame from said tray, an anvil reciprocatingly movable in apath intersecting said first path, said anvil having a shoulder portionfor supporting said mandrel and a stop portion for positioning a gridframe mountedon said mandrel along said mandrel, a wire guide mounted inpredetermined position with respect to said stop portion, a'lateral wiresupply spool, a lateral Wire gripper mounted on a slide movable in adirection parallel to said first path, said gripper slide be ing mountedon a platform, means for moving said platform in a reciprocatinglyarcuate motion towards said Wire guide for grasping a lateral wireextending between said spool and said wire guide and for pulling saidlateral wire across said grid frame, means for rotating said mandrelthrough angular steps, and means for indexing said wire guide in adirection parallel to said first 'path for threading said lateral wirebetween said ears and along said .grid frame portion, an ear crimpingmember movable along a path intersecting said first path for crimpingsaid ears against said portion, means for rotating said mandrel, andmeans for moving said wire guide laterally of said mandrel for winding aplurality of lateral wire turns about said grid frame,

13. Apparatus for securing and winding a lateral wire about a grid framehaving a pair of extending ears, said ears opposing one another andbeing adapted for clamping said lateral wire between said ears and aportion of said frame, said apparatus comprising a grid winding mandrelmovable along-a first path, a grid frame magazine, a grid frame traymovable along a path intersecting said first path, said tray beingadapted for receiving said grid frame from said magazine and forpositioning it in the path of said mandrel, said mandrel being adaptedfor supportingly engaging and removing said grid frame from said tray,and said tray having side and bottom portions separable from each otherfor facilitating removal of said grid frame contained therein, an anvilreciprocatingly movable in a path intersecting said first path, saidanvil having a shoulder portion for supporting said mandrel and a stopportion for engaging a grid frame mounted on said mandrel, a wire guidemounted in predetermined for permitting engagement position with respectto said stop portion, a lateral wire supply spool, a lateral wiregripper mounted on a slide movable in a direction parallel to said firstpath, said gripper slide being mounted on a platform, means for movingsaid platform in a reciprocatingly arcuate motion towards said Wireguide for grasping a lateral wire extending between said spool and saidwire guide and for to said first path for threading said lateral wirebetween said ears and along said grid frame portion, an earcrimpingmember mounted in predetermined position with respect to said anvil,said crimping member being movable withsaid wire guide and being movablealong a path intersectingsaid first path for crimping said ears againstsaid portion, means for rotating said mandrel, and means for movingsaidwire guide laterally of said mandrel for winding a plurality of lateralwire turns about said grid frames a 14. A grid winding apparatusincluding a mandrel supporting anvil comprising a body portion-havingshoulders ing slidably mounted on said body portion'whereby theextending length of said stop may be reduced.

15. A grid winding apparatus including a mandrel supporting anvilmechanism comprising an anvil slidably mounted in a support, means forregulating the height of said anvil within said support, said anvilhaving raised shoulders adapted for engagingand supporting a mandrelthereon, a stop mounted on said anvil and biased to extend outwardly ofsaid anvil and beyond said shoulders, and said stop being resilientlymounted on said anvil permitting reduction of the extending length ofsaid stop.

16. A grid winding apparatus including a-grid winding mandrel and ananvil mechanism, said mandrel being adapted for supporting thereon agrid frame to be wound, a

and said anvil mechanism comprising an anvil having an outwardlyextending shoulder adapted for engaging and supporting said'mandrehsaidanvil also having'a stop mounted thereon adapted for engaging a portionof said grid frame, said stop being biased to-extend outwardly from saidanvil a distance greater" than the extending length of said shoulder,and said stop being retractable for reducing the extending length ofsaid stop for permitting engagement of said shoulder with said mandrel.

17. A grid winding apparatus including a gridwinding mandrel movablealong a predetermined path, and a mantend outwardly from said anvil adistance greater than the extending length of said shoulder, and saidstop being retractable for reducing the extending length of said stop ofsaid shoulder with said mandrel.

18. A grid winding apparatus including an article positioning traymounted at an end of a slide, said tray comprising a flexible bottomsupport and a sidetsupport, saidbottom support beingsecured to said endof said .slide and extending outwardly therefrom, and said side supportbeing secured to the outermost end of said bottom support, the innersurface of said side support tapering in a downward direction towardssaid slide, whereby upon exertion of a force substantially parallel tosaid bottom support against said inner surface, said bottom supportfiexesdownwardly displacing said side support out of the path of saidline force.

19. A grid winding apparatus including an article positioning traymounted at the end of a slide, said' tray coinprising a flexible bottomsupport, a first side portion, and a second side portion, said bottomsupport being secured to said end'of said slide and extending outwardlytherefrom, said first side portion being secured to the end ofsaidbottom support, and said second side portion being integral withsaid end of said slide, said first and second side portions beingsubstantially parallel to .each other, whereby upon exertion of a forceparallel to said bottom support against the surface of said first sideportion facing said second side portion, said bottom support flexesdownwardly displacing'said first side portion outof the path of saidlineforce V 20. A grid winding apparatus including an articletransferring and positioning device comprising a slide and means foradvancing and retracting said slide along an axis, a resilient supportsecured to the underside of an end of said slide and extending axiallytherefrom, arfirst upright wall:portion secured to the outer end of saidsupport and extendiing in a direction perpendicular. to said axis, asecond upright wall portion at said end of said slide and extendingparallel to said first upright, said uprights and said support providinga tray for receiving said article, said first upright having an innersurface tapering in a downward direction towards said secondupright,whereby upon retraction of said slide and exertion of a line forceparallel to said axis against said inner surface of said first upright,said support flexes downwardly displacing said first upright out of thepath of saidforce.

21. A grid winding apparatus including an article, transferringand'positioning device comprising a slide, said slide being advanceableand retractable along an axis,- an article receiving mandrel, means foradvancing said mandrel along'a path intersecting said axis, andanarticle receiving tray mounted at an end of said slide, said trayincluding a resilient support secured to the underside of said slide andextending axially therefrom, a firstwall portion secured to the outerend of said support and extending in a direction perpendicular to saidaxis, a second wall portion at the end of, said slide and extendingparallel to said first wall portion, said first wall portion having aninner surface tapering in a downward direction towards said second wallportion, said tray having open ends permitting passage of said mandrelthrough said tray for supportingly engaging said article therein,whereby upon retraction of said slide said support flexes downwardlypermitting passage of said first wall portion past said mandrel and saidarticle engaged therewith.

1,830,222 Brindle Nov. 3, 1931 7 2,166,841 Helgason et al July 18, 19392,589,503 McCullough Mar. 18, 1952 3,010,490 Gartner et al Nov. 28, 19613,034,663 Crosby et a1 May 15, 1962 3,08l,000 Crosby et al. Mar. 19,1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 963,260 Germany May 2, 1957 601,817 Canada July 19,1960

1. APPARATUS FOR SECURING AND WINDING A LATERAL WIRE ABOUT A GRID FRAME,SAID FRAME BEING PROVIDED WITH AN EXTENDING EAR ADAPTED FOR CLAMPINGSAID LATERAL WIRE BETWEEN SAID EAR AND A PORTION OF SAID FRAME, SAIDAPPARATUS COMPRISING A FRAME SUPPORTING MEMBER, MEANS FOR MOUNTING AFRAME ON SAID FRAME SUPPORTING MEMBER, MEANS FOR FEEDING A LATERAL WIRETOWARDS A FRAME MOUNTED ON